Outdoor Activities For Autistic Child Near Me – Resources 6 Classic Outdoor Activities for Kids with Autism Spring has sprung, Memorial Day is just around the corner. If you had to pick a time of year to go outside, this is it! The weather is pleasant and even when it’s not, you can take advantage of what the great outdoors has to offer this wonderful time of year. The sounds, sights and feelings are at their peak therapeutic value and all you have to do is go outside. But before you do, let’s take a look at my top favorite spring outdoor activities to maximize your time with Mother Nature. 1. Obstacle Course Great Outdoors offers the most amazing obstacle courses. Jump over a stick, run around a bush, hug a tree and go down the slide as you go! You don’t really need a lot of gear, though it can improve your blocking options. Get creative and let your kids help you set it up 2. Go to the playground Who doesn’t love a playground? Maybe things that are far from your senses, but the playground is a great place for children to work on motor planning, balance, spatial orientation, self-confidence and social skills. You don’t have to swing, stay close for safety and to encourage some new heights and skills.
3. Hide n Seek This game never gets old. Most people like to play it indoors, but it’s great outdoors. Little kids giggle as you watch them peek out from behind the tree. You can include calculations, modes and visual perception.
Outdoor Activities For Autistic Child Near Me
4. Make a treasure hunt list and send your kids to find the listed items. Pine needles, stones, sticks, leaves and so on can be some of the items on the treasure hunt list. Or do an actual hunt and keep notes in different places outside. Each note can direct your children to a new location and at the end there may be a special treasure waiting for you. You can download the Geocache app and search for real hidden treasures with your kids not far from your backyard.
Activities For Autistic Kids
5. Hydrotherapy Of course you think I’m talking about the pool, but I’m actually talking about the rain! Wait for the rain and send your kids outside. With a dress or a swimsuit, it doesn’t matter. Give them an umbrella or let them get wet. Give them a bucket to collect the water and a broom to mop it up. Rain provides a wonderful experience of sensory integration.
6. Wheels turning together? So your kids are good to go! Bicycles, scooters, and skateboards encourage balance, motor planning, and linear acceleration, all essential for effective sensory processing. Always be sure to wear a helmet and pads! Do you have a cautionary scroll handy? L. Start slow. Try removing the pedals from the bike by lowering the seat so that your feet are flat on the ground. Once they learn to walk and slide, you can put the pedals back and raise the seat.
Caution Do not leave your children outside! An ounce of prevention goes a long way. Additionally, make sure their feet are protected with appropriate footwear for the outdoors and plenty of sunscreen. Have a great time outside! Planning a field trip for families with autism or sensory sensitivities requires careful planning. Fortunately, Houston has a variety of sensory-friendly activities and resources to make all visitors feel welcome in their spaces. In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, we’ve rounded up five sensory-friendly activities we think you’ll enjoy.
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Design Considerations For Autism Friendly Playgrounds
On April 23, 2022, the Houston Museum of Natural Science will host a day-long event where exhibits and spaces including the Burke Baker Planetarium, Wortham Giant Screen Theater and Cockerell Butterfly Center are modified to create a sensory-neutral environment. In addition to these sensory-friendly days, the museum provides visitors with visual vocabulary cards (in English and Spanish) and sensory guides that inform families about the noise level, visual stimulation and tactile elements of its exhibits. Also, children are welcome to check out the backpacks. September 24 and Mark your calendars for future Sensory Friendly Days scheduled for December 5, 2022.
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At Main Street Theater in Houston, everyone can enjoy live theater for young people! For each production, Main Street Theater uses increased lighting, lower sound levels, extra staff to assist patrons, and encourages families to prepare for the show. Additionally, the theater welcomes electronic devices including headphones and fidget toys during performances. Don’t miss the sensory-friendly performance of beloved Charlotte’s Web on May 7, 2022. On July 10, 2022, the theater will offer a sensory-friendly production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
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Sensory Play! 101 Sensory Activities For Kids With Autism
The Children’s Museum of Houston is a wonderland of activities for children of all ages. Plan to visit on May 2, 2022, when the museum will host another Friendship Day. The day is an opportunity for children with autism spectrum disorders to experience many of the museum’s attractions with low lights, low sounds, designated quiet rooms and additional signage to help guide visitors through the exhibits. Visitors are welcome to bring their own lunch and snacks as the museum cafe is not open during this event.
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Trampolines, tactile toys and an inclusive environment make We Rock the Spectrum a fun, sensory-friendly destination for Houstonians. The Memorial Area Gym welcomes all children to play, but its equipment and activities are specifically designed to help children with sensory processing disorders. Check out their social media accounts for their calendar of open games and special activities.
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Autism In School: Options, Challenges, And Tips
Space Center Houston is a certified autism center, meaning it is equipped to welcome and accommodate guests with autism or sensory and cognitive challenges. Space Center Houston also offers Sensory Backpacks – which include noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, fidget toys and guides, – sensory guides and stellar discovery guides to help you plan your visit. Designated quiet rooms can be provided upon request. The popular space-themed museum also offers sensory friendly events, where visitors can enjoy its exhibits with modified light and sound effects, as well as smaller crowds. Mark the next calendar for September 23, 2022.
Insider Tip: The Children’s Museum, HMNS, and Space Center Houston are participating attractions in our Sensory-Friendly Activity Pass. Don’t lose your savings! Today really reminded me that I need to get back out and take my kids out. My son was at an ophthalmologist and he is a specialist in his field (at a local children’s hospital).
He said he has seen an increase in the number of young children who squint or roll their eyes when playing with screens for too long near their faces. Getting kids outside is a priority for our health.
About it! Parents are actually allowing children to do permanent damage to their eyes by playing too many video games.
Autism Activities To Do With Your Child At Home — Local Autism Services
We’re strict about screen time in my house and I’m going to review these ways to get your kids excited about going outside. Being stuck inside has led to a huge increase in screen time for many families.
Outdoor space is not always accessible to children with disabilities. Adults too! I’m not just talking about maneuvering on the ground, but sensory issues and other things can make it more difficult.
Many children with autism and other disabilities struggle with executive function skills. It involves thinking about, planning and initiating a new activity. We can take for granted that our non-disabled children can think of toys in or out of the toy set.
I have promoted the film ‘Play Again’ many times. If you haven’t seen it and you’re a parent, you need to see it. It’s about an epidemic of our children spending too much time indoors and never playing outside. Part of the phenomenon is due to culture